Something happened to me this week that hasn’t happened in a long time. I got pulled over by a police officer. To make a long story short, I was pulled over because the officer thought I was cutting through the 7/11 parking lot instead of waiting at a red light. As God as my witness, I did not do that. Honestly…..:)

We all know how uncomfortable we become when we look in our rear view mirror and see those flashing red lights telling us to pull over. Our heart starts racing, we check to make sure our seat belt is on and think to ourselves, I sure hope I have my license and registration on me! Generally speaking, when a police officer pulls you over, they have a good reason to do so. Some sort of driver infraction on our part has caused the officer to pull us over to either warn us or give us a ticket. If we are speeding, there are radar guns to prove whether or not we have been going the speed limit. Many intersections have installed cameras to catch those of us who may try to sneak through a yellow when it has actually turned to red. What those tools do for the officer is prove that we have made a driver infraction which means some sort of penalty needs to be enforced.

I had a thought come to me as I was driving away from getting pulled over. If I was put on trial for being a Christian and the evidence being used to convict me was the fruit my life produced, would I be found guilty? Attending a church service is wonderful. Giving money, serving a ministry and praying for our food before we eat are all good things that we most definitely should be doing as followers of Christ. But what about the rest of my life? What about the times when I am stressed out? What about the times when my patience is tried? What about the times when things don’t go my way? Does the fruit of the spirit come pouring out of my life in moments like that?

Growing in my faith is not just important for what it does for me. Growing in my faith is important for others to see as well. If others can notice a change in me, they will naturally inquire as to the reason for that change. It is in those moments that we can say with absolute confidence that, “Jesus has changed my life and He can do the same for you!”

Jesus encouraged us in this during the Sermon on the Mount when He said, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

If you were being put on trial for being a Christian, and the only evidence that was able to be used in the case was the fruit your life produced………would you be convicted?

With Expectancy!

Corey

corey@firstassemblywest.com

About
With Expectancy is a blog written by Corey Baker, Lead Pastor of First Assembly West in Cape Coral, Florida.